Arctic Cat Hydraulic Suspension Shock
Arctic Cat Hydraulic Suspension Shock
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Description
Replacement Shock for Arctic Cat Snowmobiles. Not OEM.
One very important point about shock absorbers is that shock absorbers do not support the Snowmobile or ATV weight. Instead, the primary purpose of the shock absorber is to dampen spring and suspensions movement. If your snowmobile or ATV is sagging the problem isn't the shock but the suspension spring(s).
Standard hydraulic shock absorbers use air and oil to cushion the stroke of the shock absorber. A gas shock replaces the air in the shock with pressurized nitrogen gas. The nitrogen in the gas shock keeps it cooler than a hydraulic shock. Also when a hydraulic shock is used on a rough surface (ie: washboard) the hydraulic oil foams or forms bubbles thus reducing it effectiveness. The nitrogen in gas shock absorbers helps to eliminate the potential for the oil to foam.
An additional benefit of a gas shock absorber is that it creates a mild boost in spring rate to your ATV or Snowmobile. This does not mean that a gas charged shock would raise the vehicle up to correct ride height if the springs were sagging.
Due to the shocks being shipped and stored horizontally, the air or gas in the shock will sometimes work its way into the hydraulic working area. This will make the first few strokes feel like the shock isn't working. Working the shock in a vertical position fully compressed and then fully extended several time will push the air or gas back into the reservoir and return the shock to working order.